Knockdown table.



UNITED STATES PATENT onnion.

WILLIAM J. MADDOX, OF JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK.

KNOCKDOWN TABLE.

following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and to the characters of reference marked thereon.

The objects of the present invention are I to provide a knock down table of great strength and rigidity when set up but which can be manufactured, finished and packed for transportation and storage with the greatest economy.

A further object of the invention is to provide a table capable of being set up or assembled without the exercise of special skill or the use of special tools or appliances, and when set up will be free from exposed joints or lack of detail finish due to the knock down construction.

The invention is more especially designed for use in the construction of high grade tables such as center and library tables to which the knock down principle has not heretofore been successfully applied.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a table embodying the present improvements. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation showing the means for connecting the top, standard and base together. Figs. 3 and 4 are detail sections of the upper end of the standard and top showing the connecting means on an enlarged scale. Fig. 5 is a detail of the sliding key. Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are detail views of the connecting clamps between the shelf and base.

Like characters of reference in the several figures indicate the same parts.

The table top A may be round, oval, or of any preferred shape, and when desired may be provided with a skirt or ornamental depending edge a. Extending across the under face of the top and preferably directly connected with and forming a permanent part of the top itself is a cross piece 13. Where the table is a long table and more than a single standard is employed a cross piece for each standard is provided. The standard or standards C in the present structure present a massive appearance, being preferably solid, but of course may be built up Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed. April 27, 1908.

Patented June 15, 1909. Serial No. 429,553.

as is well understood in this art to simulate a solid column. Each standard at its upper I end rests squarely against the under face of its cross piece B and at the lower end is supported at the center of a base D, a pedestal or column base 0 being interposed between the two if preferred.

To rigidly connect the top standard and base together a long bolt E extends from the cross piece entirely through the standard and base, a thumb nut 6 being applied to its lower end for drawing the parts together. The connection between the head of a central opening 6 in the cross piece of suflicient size to permit of the passage of the bolt head and a key G having a slot 9 therein is mounted to slide transversely in the top of the cross piece so as to bridge the opening. The arms of the key embrace the bolt below the head, thereby anchoring the end of the bolt firmly in the top and consequently when the thumb nut at the lower end is set up all of the parts will be drawn together and held as one rigid structure. The key may be conveniently held against accidental escape by a pin 9 passing through a slot 9 In a double standard structure such as shown the bases are connected by a detachable shelf H, the connecting means being a concealed clamping lock adapted to be mounted on the shelf and to constitute a part of the shelf structure. As shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, each clamping lock embodies a lever I pivotally mounted on the under side of the shelf within the shelf skirt it so as to be entirely concealed from the top and sides, and a hook member I pivotally mounted on the lever and adapted to project at the end of the shelf in position to enter a slot 2' in the base and engage the bolt E, or a pin provided for it. The pivot of the hook is adapted to be moved by the lever up to and slightly over the center, whereby not only will the parts be drawn firmly together, but will be locked in their clamped position. The clamping lock locks itself and may also serve as a lock for the long bolt E, as will be readily understood.

Ordinary dowel pins or tenons K may be employed as additional positioning and securing means at the ends of the shelf and at the base of the standard, should they be found desirable.

A table of the construction described not the bolt and table top is effected by forming l. l. O

only presents the appearance of a rigid built up structure, but is in strength and rigidity fully equal thereto. Each part may be completel finished separately, as there is no special fitting required when the parts are assembled and when assembled there are no fastenings or unfinished joints exposed to v1ew.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed, is:

1. A knockdown table embodying a top, cross pieces permanently mounted on the under side of the top near opposite ends, slotted keys mounted on the cross pieces, vertical standards on which the cross pieces and top rest, transversely extending bases on which the standards rest, long bolts passing through the cross pieces, standards and bases and having heads cooperating with the slotted keys for detachably connecting the base, standards and top, and a shelf detach ably connected with the bases below the level of the standards. 1

2. A knock down table embodying a top, cross pieces permanently mounted on the under side of the top near opposite ends, slotted keys mounted on the cross pieces, vertical standards on which the cross pieces and top rest, transversely extending bases on which the standards rest,l0ng bolts passing vertically through the bases, standards and cross pieces and having heads cooperating with the slotted keys, a shelf extending between the bases, and lever clamps on the ends of the shelf detachably engaging the 35 vertical bolts.

WILLIAM J. MADDOX. Witnesses:

ARCHIE Gr. JOHNSON, FRED V. ANDERSON. 

